The warning on the Met Office website said: "Icy patches are expected to develop later Wednesday evening or overnight over southern Scotland and Northern Ireland and during the early hours of Thursday over England and and Wales.

"There will also be some wintry showers about, mainly over hills and mountains, but also to some lower levels at times, most likely in parts of Scotland and northern, eastern and central England.

"With the exception of high ground, most places will not see any snow settling."

The warning said drivers should take care on the roads due to ice on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.

There is a risk of some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.

Bonnie Diamond, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: "From Wednesday colder air is pushing in from the east. A cold front is pushing across Wednesday morning. There will be rain first thing, with bright skies for the rest of the day.

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Manchester. (Image: Met Office)

"Temperatures will be mild on Wednesday, around 9C. The cold air will be fully felt overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

"Temperatures will be 6C on Thursday. Overnight Thursday to Friday we are expecting severe frosts in Manchester, overnight temperatures will be -2C.

"On Thursday itself it will be a dry day, with sunshine but very cold. And then on Friday there can be a band of rain pushing in from the west, which could turn into snow.

"Western parts of the UK, including Manchester, are likely to be affected."

According to weather experts the cold weather looks like it will continue for some time in the region, with temperatures forecast to be around the 3C to 4C mark at least until Tuesday.

The dip in temperature is connected to the disruption of the winds high above the earth's surface, which is known as Sudden Stratospheric Warning (SSW).

It means that later on in January - and for the rest of winter - it could be colder than average.